1. The Problems Posed Designer Drugs (Spice/K2, Bath Salts, Etc.)
By: Paul L. Cary
Toxicology Laboratory
University of Missouri

2. The Story of Designer Drugs

3. Designer Drugs:
drugs, which are created (or reformulated, if the drug already existed) to get around existing drug laws (CSA), usually by modifying the molecular structures of existing drugs to varying degrees

4. Designer Drugs:
“designer drug” was first coined by law enforcement in the 1980s
second International Opium Convention in 1925 which specifically banned alternative esters of morphine
1960s s, new synthetic hallucinogens (modifications of LSD & PCP)
1980s s, design of MDMA (ecstasy) & methcathinone
, derivatives of psilocybin & mescaline - anabolic steroid

5. What Drives the Production Designer Drugs ?
consumer preferences
law enforcement control

6. Spice/K2 and Synthetic Cannabinoids

7. What’s in these “incense” products?

8. “Listed” Ingredients in Spice
Canavalia rosea: commonly known as beach bean or bay bean - vine found in tropical and subtropical beach dunes
Nymphaea caerulea: also known as Blue Egyptian water lily
Scutellaria nana: perennial herb also known as Dwarf skullcap
Pedicularis densiflora: known commonly as Indian warrior - a perennial herb
Leonotis leonurus: also known as Lion's Tail and Wild Dagga - a perennial shrub native to southern Africa
Zornia latifolia: is a perennial herb
Nelumbo nucifera: known by a number of names including Indian Lotus, or simply Lotus - aquatic perennial commonly found in China
Leonurus sibiricus: commonly called Honeyweed or Siberian motherwort, herbaceous plant native to Asia
vanilla
honey

9. Preparation of the “incense”:
botanicals are sprayed with liquid preparations of:
HU-210
HU-211
CP 47,497
JWH-018
JWH-073

10. Synthetic cannabinoids are not Salvia divinorum
Synthetic cannabinoids are not Salvia divinorum. Salvia divinorum is a psychoactive plant which can induce dissociative effects.

11. Where can these “incense” products be purchased?

12. Sources of Incense Products:
“head” shops/alternative medicine stores
internet/on-line sources (2004)
1-(800) phone ordering services
individual distributors

13. Internet Sources:

14. Buy on ebay:

15. How is herbal incense promoted?

16. The Directions:

17. The Benefits:

18. More Directions:
There is 1.5g of Natural Super Puff in each package. Super Puff incense is an ultra strong aromatic incense, and is one of the world's strongest herbal incense blends available. It contains an extremely potent blend of herbal resins, extracts, and leaves. This incense is for botanical use only and is not for human consumption.

19. Terms: You affirm and agree to the following:
That you are 18 years of age or older.
NO EXCEPTIONS! You agree to use
our products for their intended purposes
only. You waive without exception
your right to hold Seller liable in any
way for the misuse of Seller’s products.
Buyer understands that all of Seller’s
products are offered for scientific
research purposes only and that these
products are not intended for human
consumption. Buyer understands that
Seller’s products are not meant for oral
consumption or inhalation of smoke/hot
vapors. The Seller does NOT supply
instructions on proper use of any product
provided.

20. What’s the story behind these synthetic THC chemicals?

21. Synthetic Cannabinoids
HU-210
HU-211
CP 47,497 (and related chemicals)
JWH-018
JWH-073

22. Origins of Synthetic Cannabinoids
HU-210 & HU synthesized at Hebrew University, Israel in HU-210 is an anti-inflammatory; HU-211 as an anesthetic
CP 47,497 - developed by Pfizer in 1980 as an analgesic
JWH-018 & JWH synthesize by a researcher at Clemson (1995) for use in THC receptor research - John W. Huffman
more than 100 different synthetic cannabinoids have been created

23. Synthetic Cannabinoids Timeline:
first appearance on the Internet 2004
Europe was original target market
by 2008 widespread in Europe
2008 introduced into US
widespread in US by late
late 2008 University Hospital Freiburg, Germany first analysis of incense
first Spring 2009
laboratory testing available late 2010

24. Pharmacological Effects of Synthetic Cannabinoids
HU-210
CP 47,497
JWH-018
JWH-073
All act as THC agonists

25. An agonist is a chemical that binds to a receptor and triggers a response – often mimicking the action of a naturally occurring substance.
Receptor
Drug (agonist)

26. CB Receptors:
CB1 and CB2
CB1 receptor influence mainly the brain (central nervous system, CNS), but there are also effects expressed in the lungs, liver and kidneys
CB2 receptor effects mainly the immune system and in certain stem cells

27. Why Change the Key? prolong the effect of the drug
increase the potency of the drug
“select” the desired effect
make the drug more difficult to detect
avoid patent infringement
make an illegal drug “legal”
Drug

28. CB Receptors:

29. Smoking Cannabinoids What does CB1 receptor control?
BG: motor control, learning
Hippo: memory, spatial navigation
CB: cognitive functions - attention, language, emotions

30. Pharmacological Effects of Synthetic Cannabinoids are Similar to THC
increase heart rate & blood pressure
altered state of consciousness
mild euphoria and relaxation
perceptual alterations (time distortion)
intensification of sensory experiences
pronounced cognitive effects
impaired short-term memory
reduction in motor skill acuity
increase in reaction times

31. Dependence Syndrome Similar to Marijuana

32. Reported Effects of Synthetic Cannabinoids are Different to THC
production inconsistencies
herbal incense blends are harsher to inhale
effect on appetite is non-existent
increased restlessness & aggressive behavior
herbal incense produces a shorter “high” (perceptual alterations & sensory effects are limited)
doesn’t mix well with alcohol (hangovers)
incense costs more than marijuana

33. Abuse of Synthetic Cannabinoids versus Methamphetamine
Spice/K2 can be legally purchased
synthetic cannabinoids are not as overtly addictive
difficult to detect by most drug testing methods
are not “dangerous” to manufacture & necessary chemicals are easier to purchase

34. What’s the legal status of synthetic cannabinoids?

35. Legal Status of Synthetic Cannabinoids (DEA)
March 1, 2011, the DEA, issued final notice to temporarily place five synthetic cannabinoids into the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) for at least one year
synthetic cannabinoids treated as Schedule 1 drugs
a drug that has a high potential for abuse
a drug that has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States
there is a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug under medical supervision

36. Legal Status of Synthetic Cannabinoids (DEA)
synthetic cannabinoids covered under the DEA’s proposed new rule includes the following:
JWH-018 *
JWH-073 *
JWH-200
CP-47,497
CP-47,497 (C-8 homologue)

38. Legal Status of Synthetic Cannabinoids (DEA)
DEA took action - imminent hazard to the public safety
when finalized - impose criminal sanctions and regulatory controls of Schedule I substances under the CSA
covers the manufacture, distribution, possession, importation, and exportation
Christine Sannerud, Ph.D., Chief, Drug & Chemical Evaluation Section, Office of Diversion Control

39. Ramifications of DEA Action:
eliminate the commercial distribution of synthetic cannabinoids
drive synthetic cannabinoids underground
limit their availability
impact on criminal justice - wait and see?

40. Prevalence of Synthetic THC?
no national statistics
Louisiana:
9 clients “pre-selected” based upon suspicion
7 tested positive
Columbia MO:
17 clients “pre-selected” based upon suspicion
12 tested positive
5 self-admissions

41. National Statistics for Synthetic THC
American Association of Poison Control Centers has reported:
All of 2009
13 cases
First half of 2010
567 cases in 41 states
4000% increase

42. Can synthetic THC chemicals be detected by drug testing?

43. Drug Testing: NO on-site, rapid, instant tests
NO laboratory-based screening tests
Five laboratories employing LC/MS/MS technology
$20 - $50 per sample
many unknowns regarding this testing

44. Five Laboratories Are:
Redwood Toxicology Laboratory Santa Rosa, CA
National Medical Services Willow Grove, PA
MedTox Scientific St. Paul, MN
NorChem Flagstaff, AZ
Sterling Reference Laboratories
Tacoma, WA

45. The Wild, Wild West (Issues of Concern):
What synthetic compounds (or metabolites) are being tested by these laboratories?
no standardized urine cutoff levels
no standardized methods (LC/MS/MS)
tests detect metabolites
no independent quality control materials
no proficiency testing
detection window unknown
caveat emptor!

46. Are There Control Strategies Other Than Testing?

47. Alternative Control Strategies:
community supervision
search & seizure (client contract)
car, home, possessions

48. Court’s Response:
place specific synthetic cannabinoid prohibition in your client contract
establish a date certain testing date - inform client population
establish sanction severity
select participants for testing where there are indications of herbal incense use
identify positive participants in court & sanction openly to enhance deterrent effect
provide opportunity for participants to self-report

49. A New Designer Drug – Ivory Wave

50. Bath Salts:
The term bath salts refers to a range of water-soluble products designed to be added to a bath. They are said to improve cleaning, improve the experience of bathing, serve as a vehicle for cosmetic agents, and some even claim medical benefits. Bath salts have been developed which mimic the properties of natural mineral baths or hot springs.

51. Sold Under the Names: Ivory Wave Ivory Pure Ivory Coast Purple Wave
Vanilla Sky

54. Health Hazard?

55. What is Ivory Wave:
Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) is a psychoactive drug with stimulant properties which acts as both a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI).
MDPV has four times the potency of Ritalin
MDPV - no history of FDA approved medical use
sold since 2007 as a research chemical

56. MDPV: currently popular in Europe, UK & Australia
is usually snorted - similar to cocaine
considered extremely addictive
MDPV is “legal”
adverse medical/psychiatric ramifications
Few drug tests available commercially

57. Methylmethcathinone (Mephedrone)
designer drug chemically similar to cathinone
cathinone is a chemical found in the khat plant of Eastern Africa
powerful synthetic stimulant
first synthesized in 1929
“rediscovered” in 2003
widespread in Europe, Australia, US

58. Client Prohibition Guidance:
Any and all “designer drugs” that can be purchased legally, over the counter without a physician’s prescription are strictly prohibited.
Any and all “smoking mixtures” (other than products specifically designated to contain only tobacco) are strictly prohibited.
Any and all products sold or marketed under false pretenses with the warning “Not for Human Consumption” are strictly prohibited.

59. Designer Drugs: brings me no joy to alert you of this trend
designer drugs are here to stay
evolutionary patterns
testing will lag behind
legal controls with be difficult
BE PROACTIVE!
build community supervision/expand search & seizure efforts

60. address: